Kind presence at all times

A tragic incident unfolded in Lewiston, ME, when beloved children’s bowling instructor Bob Violette was fatally shot while doing what he loved most – teaching a youth bowling league at Sparetime Recreation. Violette, who was 76 years old, had been actively involved in mentoring young bowlers for as long as anyone could remember.

Brandon Dubuc, a friend of Violette’s and a former protege, shared his grief and admiration for the dedicated instructor. He described Violette as someone who would go out of his way to help every child he encountered. Dubuc, who grew up bowling at Sparetime, even had the privilege of working alongside Violette at the bowling alley.

Upon seeing surveillance photos of the gunman, Robert Card, Dubuc immediately recognized the scene. It appeared that Card had targeted the front counter, which was right in front of the lanes where Violette and the young bowlers would have been. Dubuc’s cousin, who was also present during the shooting, managed to escape unharmed.

The identification of Violette as one of the shooting victims has sent shockwaves through the close-knit community of Lewiston, affecting not only his family but also the entire bowling community. Dubuc expressed his concerns about the far-reaching impact of this tragedy and the efforts to piece together all the details.

Despite the heartbreak, Violette’s loved ones firmly believe that he acted heroically, sacrificing his own life to protect his students. His dedication and love for the children he mentored were unwavering. Dubuc confidently affirmed, “If he was there with those kids, he was protecting those kids.”

Bob Violette was just days away from celebrating his 77th birthday when this senseless act of violence cut short his life. The loss of such a compassionate and devoted instructor has left a void in the bowling community and in the hearts of those who knew him.

Tiffany Chan, a general assignment reporter for WBZ-TV, contributed to this report.

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